Chapter 168: Regulations on Official Appointment Avoidance!

"Do you feel quite aggrieved?"

Du Chengfeng looked at Tang Ye with a calm gaze.

Tang Ye tilted his head slightly, a flash of loneliness crossing his eyes, before he recovered his composure and replied in a detached tone.

"It is indeed a bit aggrieved. I want to do something substantial, but the process is too difficult."

Du Chengfeng leaned back against his chair, his gaze somewhat ethereal, as if he were seeing his own younger self from many years ago, just starting his official career and equally full of ambition, through Tang Ye.

"Many people enter the officialdom with dreams, but once they encounter setbacks, they easily become disheartened and lose their way."

Tang Ye sat up straight, his eyes firm as torches, and said decisively: "I will not give up. If I encounter similar problems in the future, I will still hold fast to my bottom line and never retreat."

A look of approval appeared in Du Chengfeng's eyes; he nodded at Tang Ye, his tone full of gratification: "Having this determination is correct. Secretary Zhou is paying special attention to you and specifically instructed me to have a good talk with you and do some ideological work."

A flash of surprise crossed Tang Ye's face, but it was more of a feeling of being flattered, and he couldn't help but say: "I really didn't expect this matter to alarm Secretary Zhou."

Du Chengfeng waved his hand, his expression becoming serious, and explained: "This matter, on the surface, is aimed at you, but in reality, it is directed at me. You can rest assured; the matter has already been concluded. Secretary Du Bin personally interrogated you; firstly, because he knows your situation very well, and secondly, to protect you. During this period, your performance has been very good, and you have withstood the test."

Tang Ye suddenly realized and understood in an instant, thinking to himself that Shang Deyi was right before: in this high-level political game, he, a Section-level Cadre, did not even have the qualifications to participate in the core contest.

Thinking of this, Tang Ye did not speak, silently digesting it.

"Regarding this incident, the organization has already made proper arrangements. As for the remaining black sheep, not one will escape; they will all be cleared out one by one." Du Chengfeng changed the subject, looked at Tang Ye, and said with a serious expression, "Tang Ye, you must also reflect well on why you suddenly fell into a passive position and lost the initiative?"

Tang Ye knew in his heart that, in the final analysis, it was because his rank was low.

In the complex whirlpool of power struggles, his influence was limited.

But he did not say it directly; he gave a bitter smile and listened quietly.

Du Chengfeng did not reprimand Tang Ye but sincerely reminded him: "You are still young and lack experience in struggle; you don't know how to protect yourself in complex situations, which is why your opponents were able to seize a handle and find an opportunity. This incident is a major test for you, and I hope you can learn a lesson from it. You are good at playing chess, aren't you? In the future, you might as well apply the strategies and thoughts from the chessboard to your work."

Tang Ye showed a humble expression of being taught, but inside he couldn't help but sigh that everything he had done, struggling all the way, was just to be able to step onto the chessboard of power and gain the qualification to become a chess piece.

Only by first becoming a chess piece can one have the opportunity to participate in this game.

"Thank you for the reminder, Secretary Du. I will remember it." Tang Ye tried hard to adjust his emotions.

Du Chengfeng stood up, walked to Tang Ye's side, and patted his shoulder lightly, his tone becoming much gentler, carrying the concern of an elder.

"Little Tang, Secretary Zhou also mentioned the relationship issue between you and Xi Xi. Do you understand what this means?"

Upon hearing this, Tang Ye was slightly stunned and said without hesitation: "Secretary, my feelings for Xi Xi are sincere."

Du Chengfeng sighed and said helplessly: "I have already explained to Secretary Zhou that you and Du Xi only recently established a romantic relationship. As for the achievements you have made in your work, those are all due to your personal ability."

Tang Ye only felt a chill down his spine; under this spotlight of power, it seemed nothing could escape scrutiny, and everything was laid bare.

Fortunately, he had always acted openly and had a clear conscience.

Additionally, Du Chengfeng obscurely mentioned a personnel principle—the regulations on official appointment avoidance.

If Tang Ye and Du Xi were to marry, either Du Chengfeng or Tang Ye would have to leave Tianling County.

"During this period, you should just rest and adjust yourself well." Du Chengfeng looked at Tang Ye and said in a gentle tone.

Tang Ye felt complicated, his mind filled with a thousand thoughts.

There was both confusion about the future and the exhaustion after experiencing twists and turns.

He nodded slowly and replied: "Alright, Secretary Du."

……

On the way back to Pinghu by car, Tang Ye's mood was like a tangled mess of hemp.

He had rushed to Pinghu with burning dreams, and in this position, he could be said to have exhausted his abilities and gone all out, making Pinghu look brand new, everywhere overflowing with a vigorous and flourishing atmosphere.

He had thought he would unfold his grand plans and display his ambitions, but the fermentation of the Chu Dongfa corruption case was like a basin of cold water, ruthlessly shattering his original beautiful vision.

As soon as he returned to Pinghu, Tang Ye found Chen Zhihua without stopping.

Chen Zhihua had actually long anticipated that Tang Ye was in a difficult situation this time.

He looked grave and said with a hint of helplessness: "This Chu Dongfa, he didn't give any peace while he was alive, and he's still causing trouble after death. Regarding the relevant responsibilities, push them onto me."

After hearing this, Tang Ye felt a warmth in his heart, "Brother Chen, I accept this kindness of yours."

In the past, Tang Ye had always respectfully addressed Chen Zhihua as "Secretary," but at this moment, this "Brother Chen" made Chen Zhihua feel both surprised and inexplicably sad.

Chen Zhihua's eyes turned red, and he emotionally gripped Tang Ye's wrist tightly.

"Little brother, everyone sees and remembers everything you have done for our Pinghu. I am old; it's no big deal to take a disciplinary action. But you are different; your future is still long."

Tang Ye patted Chen Zhihua's shoulder lightly and said heart-to-heart: "Brother Chen, I am a Seconded Official after all, and I won't be able to stay in Pinghu for too long. I might not necessarily be disciplined this time, but there might be other arrangements for my work."

Chen Zhihua instantly understood the meaning in Tang Ye's words, and a look of deep reluctance appeared on his face, sighing: "If you leave, it will truly be a huge loss for Pinghu! Before, I was full of ambition, feeling that with you here, anything could be accomplished. But if I lose you, I feel like I've lost my backbone, and my heart feels empty."

Tang Ye comforted him: "Everything is still undecided, don't worry too much. Even if I really leave Pinghu, I will definitely come back to visit often. If Pinghu encounters difficulties in the future, I will never stand idly by."

To be honest, it would be a lie to say that Chen Zhihua had no thoughts about Tang Ye monopolizing power in his work.

But at this moment, hearing that Tang Ye might leave, he felt more reluctance in his heart.

Next, Tang Ye and Chen Zhihua engaged in an in-depth discussion about the future development of Pinghu...